Radius file guide

ABSTRACT

In embodiments, an apparatus for sharpening the edges of the ski/snowboard is provided. The apparatus may sharpen the edges of the skies without scratching the ski base. The apparatus may include a file support having holes for affixing a file. In addition, a radius base plate having a curvature is attached with the file support at right angle. In embodiments, the curvature of the plate from the tip to the tail may be symmetrical or asymmetrical and the angle between the file support and the radius base plate may vary between 90 and 96 degrees.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/235,546 filed Aug. 20, 2009 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to ski/snowboards, and more specifically to sharpening the edges of the ski/snowboards.

2. Background Information

Typically, the ski/snowboard tuning technician sharpens a ski with a flat based file guide. A flat file guide tends to scratch the ski base and is generally intolerant of irregularities in the ski base. Also a flat file guide requires the technician to hold a particular wrist position when starting and finishing a filing movement along the length of a ski which increases fatigue and may reduce quality of the ski edge near the start and end of a sharpening path. A need is felt for a simple tool that facilitates sharpening the ski edges without at least these drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ski sharpening apparatus disclosed herein facilitates accurate filing of ski edges without scratching the ski surface with the aid of a radius file guide. With the radius file guide, the center of the guide is in contact with the ski base which is where the file makes primary contact with the ski edge to be filed and cuts the ski edge. In addition the filings can fall through a port in the guide that facilitates directing the filings away from the ski base.

The present invention provides an apparatus for sharpening the edges of a ski/snowboard. The apparatus may facilitate sharpening the edges of the skies without scratching the ski base. The apparatus may include a file support, optionally having holes, such as for affixing a file. A radius base plate having a curvature or a plurality of non-coplanar surfaces may be attached to the file support forming various angles that facilitate preparing the ski edge angle per a user preference or manufacturer recommendation. In embodiments, the angle between the file support and the radius base plate may be fixed between approximately 90 and 96 degrees. In addition, a filings port which is substantially an aperture in the file guide may be provided in the plate, substantially at a point of contact between the radius base plate and the ski base and may extend into the radius base plate and the file support beyond the junction thereof. Such an assembly may facilitate filing the ski/snowboard edge without scratching the base of the ski/snowboard.

The radius base plate that slides along the ski base may allow the tuner to enter and exit the filing motion along the ski smoothly for smoother cutting of the ski edge because only a portion of the radius base plate is in contact with the ski base. The radius base plate facilitates a natural extension of the technician's wrist near the entry (when starting) and exit (when ending) of a filing motion along a ski while ensuring that the preferred edge angle is maintained. The curvature may be formed in one portion of the radius base plate, whereas the other portion of the radius base plate may be flat to facilitate maintaining a fixed angle between the curvature portion and the ski base.

The radius base plate may be formed by any one or more of: a flat section and a curved section; two flat sections inclined at different angles; a plurality of sections with different radii; and the like.

The radius base plate may be formed by a plurality of sections including a flat section, a tip or head section, and a tail section. Further, the head section and the tail section may be of different radii. In an example, the flat section disposed between the head section and the tail section may be 2 inches.

In an aspect of the invention a file guide comprises a radius base plate with a base surface comprising at least two non co-planar sections; a file support disposed at substantially a right angle to the radius base plate and attached thereto forming a junction; at least two file grip holes disposed through the file support, the grip holes forming a sharp edge with a top surface of the file support; and a filings port disposed at the junction for passing filings from a first side of the file guide to a second side of the file guide. In the aspect the file guide is configured to be used for sharpening edges of at least a ski and a snowboard. Further in the aspect the radius base plate comprises a polished surface to minimize friction or an antifriction coating. Alternatively in the aspect the radius base plate comprises at least one of reliefs and grooves to reduce surface area contacting with the radius base plate.

In the aspect of the invention, the at least two non co-planar sections comprises at least one or more flat sections, one or more curved sections, and a combination thereof. In this aspect, the radii of the one or more curved sections comprise an elliptical profile, a hyperbolic profile or a combination thereof.

Alternatively in the aspect, the at least two non-co-planar sections comprises two flat sections disposed at a predefined angle with one another.

In the aspect, the at least two file grip holes are configured for clamping a file to the file support. Alternatively, the at least two file grip holes are disposed with distinct orientations on the file support. Additionally, the at least two file grip holes comprises at least one of a square cross section, a rectangular cross section, an oval cross section, an elliptical cross section and a combination thereof.

In the aspect, the filings port comprises an aperture that extends to a portion of the radius base plate.

The file guide may include a palm shaped handle for facilitating gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user or a concave shaped handle for facilitating safe gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user.

The file guide may be fabricated from one of a steel, resin, and plastic material.

In another aspect of the invention an apparatus for facilitating sharpening of edges of a device, the apparatus may include a first plate with a base surface, the base surface comprising a plurality of non-co-planar sections; a second plate disposed at a defined angle to the first plate and attached thereto forming a junction between the first plate and the second plate; and a fillings port disposed at the junction for passing filings from a first side of the apparatus to a second side of the apparatus during sharpening of the edges of the device. In the aspect, the apparatus is a file guide. Alternatively, the first plate is a radius base plate.

In the aspect of the invention, the at least two non co-planar sections comprises at least one or more flat sections, one or more curved sections, and a combination thereof. In this aspect, the radii of the one or more curved sections comprise an elliptical profile, a hyperbolic profile or a combination thereof.

Alternatively in the aspect, the at least two non-co-planar sections comprises two flat sections disposed at a predefined angle with one another.

In the aspect, the at least two file grip holes are configured for clamping a file to the file support. Alternatively, the at least two file grip holes are disposed with distinct orientations on the file support. Additionally, the at least two file grip holes comprises at least one of a square cross section, a rectangular cross section, an oval cross section, an elliptical cross section and a combination thereof.

In the aspect, the filings port comprises an aperture that extends to a portion of the radius base plate.

The file guide may include a palm shaped handle for facilitating gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user or a concave shaped handle for facilitating safe gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user.

The file guide may be fabricated from one of a steel, resin, and plastic material.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of sharpening edges of a device using an apparatus may include positioning the apparatus at a start position such that the apparatus is inclined at a first angle with the device, the start position defining initiation of edge sharpening motion of the device; guiding the apparatus in a sharpening path along a length of the device to a mid-position such that the apparatus is inclined at a second angle with the device at the mid-position; and proceeding sharpening along the sharpening path beyond the mid-position to an end position such that the apparatus is inclined at a third angle with the device at the end-position, the end-position defining an end of the edge sharpening motion of the device.

In the aspect, the device is at least one of a ski and a snowboard.

Further in the aspect the first angle, the second angle and the third angle are obtained by rotating the apparatus with respect to the device.

These and other systems, methods, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the drawings. All documents mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts the perspective view of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E depict a top view, a front view, a bottom view, a rear view and a side view of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1F depicts an end view, showing a representative edge forming angle in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus formed by the asymmetrical long radius tip in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus with an angled face and a flat face in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts the asymmetrical right and left handed versions radius file guide of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus with an angled face and a flat face joined with a radius in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an elliptical radius file guide with symmetrical or asymmetrical radius of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a flat centre portion with symmetrical and/or asymmetrical ends of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 depicts two or more angled flat sections forming a radius base plate of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts a palm shaped handle embodiment of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts a safety no-slip shaped handle embodiment of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 depicts the file guide in a typical application.

Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with the claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawings/figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defied as one or as more than one. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. open transition). The term “coupled” or “operatively coupled” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a perspective view of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus 100 is provided. The apparatus 100 may include a file support 102. As shown, the file support 102 of the file guide 100 may have file grip holes 104 placed near opposite ends. The file grip holes 104 may be substantially equidistant from a center point of the file support 102. The file guide 100 may also include a radius base plate 108 that is attached to and disposed at an angle relative to the file support 102. Along a portion of the junction of the radius base plate 108 and the file support 102, a filings port 110 may be disposed to facilitate clearing the filings of the ski edge away from the file and the file guide 100 during use.

The radius base plate 108 generally has a highly polished surface to minimize friction between the file guide 100 and a ski base. However, antifriction coatings, such as spray-on, film type, molecular bonding, and the like may be applied to the radius base plate 108 to facilitate smoother operation. Likewise, the radius base plate 108 may include other features such as reliefs, grooves, and the like that may further reduce the surface area making contact between the radius base plate 108 and a ski base. Although none of these features are explicitly detailed in the embodiments herein, all are contemplated and included herein.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a top view of the ski/snowboard sharpening apparatus 100 is shown. The file grip holes 104 may provide provision for clamping a file (not shown in the figure) to the file support 102. The file grip holes 104 may be located under the file for clamping it. The file edges may project into the file grip holes 104. The edges formed by the file grip holes 104 and the file support 102 may be sharp or may have some kind of projection for securely affixing the file to the file support 102 during filing.

A file used in conjunction with the file support 102 and the file grip holes 104 may be used to sharpen the edges of the ski/snowboard using apparatus 100.

In embodiments, the width of the file support 102 (as measured from the radius base plate junction) may be in the range of one-half to two inches.

In embodiments, the file may be held onto the file guide with the aid of an aftermarket clap. The aftermarket clap may be commonly available in the market. Further, the configuration of the file grip holes 104 may be changed so as to fit the commonly available aftermarket claps or files.

It may be noted that the file grip holes 104 may be placed in different orientations as described above without deviating from the scope of the invention. The file grip holes 104 may be square, rectangular, oval, elliptical or of any other geometrical shape. The file grip holes 104 may be located opposite each other in the file support 102 and may have an elongated shape that forms an obtuse or acute angle relative to the junction of the file support 102 and the radius base plate 108. In embodiments, the file support 102 may be attached to radius base plate 108 such that the file support 102 and the radius base plate 108 may form a junction.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a front view of the ski/snowboard apparatus 100 shows the radius base plate 108 having a curvature. The radius base plate 108 may slide along the base of the ski/snowboard. The radius may be selected based on the type of the ski/snowboard that needs to be sharpened.

FIG. 1D, a top view of the file guide 100 illustrates the filings port 110 extending along the file support 102. The filings port 110 may facilitate the filing of the ski/snowboard without scratching the ski base by guiding the filings through the port 110 away from the ski edge.

Referring to FIG. 1E, a rear view of the file guide 100, the filings port 110 extends into the radius base plate 108 via the filings port extension 112. The filings port extension 112 may be formed by removing some material from the rear surface of the radius base plate 108. As shown in FIG. 1C, the filings port extension 112 does not cut all the way through the radius base plate 108. In this way, the radius formed by the radius base plate 108 is not interrupted by the filings port extension 112.

Referring to FIG. 1F, an end view of the file guide 100, the angle formed between the radius base plate 108 and the file support 102 determines the angle of the sharpened edge relative to the base of the ski (the edge angle 114). In the file guide 100 example depicted in FIG. 1F, the edge angle 114 is 90 degrees. However, the file guide 100 may be configured with other edge angles 114, such as 91 degrees through 96 degrees in various increments (e.g. 1 degree, ½ degree, and the like) to meet user preferences and/or manufacturer requirements or recommendations. The file guide 100 may be formed of material, such as steel that is rigid so that the edge angle 114 does vary substantially during repeated uses.

Referring to FIG. 2, the radius base plate 108 may have a first radius portion 202 disposed between a tip 204 and a flat portion 208 followed by a second radius portion 210 at its tail 212. In the example of FIG. 2, first radius portion 202 may have a radius of 33.788 inches, the flat portion 208 may be 2 inches long, and the second radius portion 210 may have a radius of 0.419 inches. The first radius portion 202 may facilitate keeping the tip 204 from scratching the ski base and facilitate preventing the tip 204 from lifting the radius base plate 108 off of an irregularly shaped ski base. The flat portion 208 may facilitate applying even pressure of the file guide 100 to the ski base and edge. The second radius portion 210 may facilitate keeping the tail 212 from catching on the ski base or edge and from collecting filings that may remain on the edge or ski base as the tail 212 passes over a filed edge portion of the ski. In this way, a longer file support 102 may be used to better support a file while avoiding an equally long flat base of the file guide 100 from contacting the ski base while filing. Other radius and flat dimensions are possible and included herein.

Referring to FIG. 3, a co-joined angled section 302 and straight section 304 of the radius base plate 108 is shown. Such an assembly may be include the angled section 302 either on the tip side or on tail side depending upon the relative placement of angled section 302 and the straight section 304. In the example of FIG. 3, the angled section 302 may be slightly longer than the flat section 304. The difference in length may be very small (e.g. the angled section 302 may have a length of 2.002 inches, whereas the flat section may have a length of 2 inches).

Referring to FIG. 4, an asymmetrical radius base plate 108 of the radius file guide 100 is depicted. In this embodiment, the flat section 402 may be followed by a curved section 404 with a radius. Further, the curved section 404 with a radius may be oriented toward either the tip or the tail of the file guide 100. The flat section 402 and the radius section 404 may be joined together to form the radius base plate 108. In embodiments, the radius may be an elliptical, hyperbolic, and the like. For example, the radius section 404 may form a radius of 33.788 inches, while the flat section 402 may be of 2 inches in length.

Referring to FIG. 5, a curved portion 502 of the radius base plate 108 joining an angled section 504 and a flat section 508 may be provided. In embodiments, the angled section 504 may be affixed at the tip or at the tail making its use asymmetrical to only one of the left ski edge or the right ski edge. For example, the radius base plate 108 may include an angled section 504 of 1.585 inch length attached to the tip followed by a curved portion 502 having a radius of approximately 25 inches followed by a flat section 508 of 1.583 inches ending at the tail.

Referring to FIG. 6, an elliptical shaped radius base plate 108 with symmetrical or asymmetrical radius portions may be provided. The radius base plate 108 may be formed by three sections which may include a tip section 602, a tail section 604 and a middle section 608. In embodiments, the tip section 602 and the tail section 604 may be of equal radius. In embodiments, the tip section 602, tail section 604, and the middle section 608 may be of different radii. For example, the tail section 604 and the tip section 602 may have radius 6.125 inches with the middle section 608 having a radius of 78.205 inches. This results in the radius base plate 108 having no flat portion that makes contact with the ski base. A file guide 100 with such a shaped radius base plate 108 may be beneficially used with a ski with an irregular base. It also may provide substantial flexibility in the positioning of the file guide 100 with respect to the ski, such as may be preferred for a more experienced ski tuning professional.

Referring to FIG. 7, the radius base plate 108 may have a flat center portion 702 with symmetrical or asymmetrical radius at the tip end 704 and the tail end 708 of the file guide 100. For example, the flat center portion 702 may be 3.00 inches long with the tip end 704 and the tail end 708 each having a radius of 3.788 inches. In another example, the flat center portion 702 may be 3.00 inches long, the tip end 704 may have a radius of 3.0 inches and the tail end 708 may have a radius of 3.8 inches. The curved tip end 704 and tail end 708 may facilitate smooth operation of the file guide 100 against a ski base by keeping the tip and tail edges from contacting the ski base while allowing the long flat portion 702 to make contact with the ski base.

Referring to FIG. 8, two angled flat sections may be provided to form the radius base plate 108. The two flat portions may be joined together to effect a radius type action when using the file guide 100. In embodiments, the effective radius shape may be varied by varying the relative angle of the two sections. Furthermore, the angled flat sections may be of different lengths which may impact the asymmetry of the radius base plate 108. In the example of FIG. 8, the two angled flat sections result in a radius base plate 108 that is not quite flat, having a slightly obtuse profile. As depicted in FIG. 8, the two angled flat sections may form a relative angle of approximately 176 degrees rather than 180 degrees for a single flat section. This alternative way of forming the radius base plate 108 may be more economical to shape that forming combinations of curved surfaces a depicted in other embodiments of the present invention. Even with such as small variation (approximately 4 degrees) from being completely flat, the radius base plate 108 will facilitate smoother operation of the file guide 100 against a ski base.

FIG. 9 depicts a palm shaped handle embodiment that may allow the file guide 100 to more easily fit into the palm of a users hand during edge filing.

FIG. 10 depicts a concave shaped handle that may facilitate safer use of the file guide because a user's hand may fit within the concave shape, thereby reducing the likelihood that the user's hand will slip off of the guide and impact the sharp edge being formed in the edge filing process.

Referring to FIG. 11 which depicts an application of using the file guide 100 to sharpen an edge of a ski, the file guide 100 is shown in three positions along the ski, emphasizing a benefit of the file guide 100 that facilitates reducing technician fatigue. The file guide 100 may be configured to allow the technician to position the file guide 100 in a starting position 1102 along the edge of the ski 1112 near an end of the ski to start the edge sharpening motion; move the file guide in a sharpening path 1110 along the ski 1112 to a mid position 1104; and proceed further along the sharpening path 1110 to an ending position 1108. At each of the starting position 1102, mid position 1104, and ending position 1108, the file guide 100 may be slightly rotated to a different angle with respect to the ski base to facilitate better manual control of the sharpening motion with less fatigue to the technician and less stress on the technician's wrist. The file guide 100 maintains a proper edge sharpening angle (e.g. placement of the file) throughout the sharpening path 1110 even with the slightly rotation of the file guide 100.

As noted elsewhere herein the junction formed between the file support 102 and the radius base plate 108 may be of different angles ranging between approximately 90 degrees to 96 degrees. For example, the angle of the junction formed by joining the radius base plate 108 and the file support 102 may be 93 degrees.

Although the file guide 100 is generally depicted as a formed single piece construction apparatus, various multi-part construction or forming techniques may be applied. Also, although the file guide 100 is generally noted to be steel herein, other materials such as various types of resin, plastic, and the like may be employed in the construction of a file guide 100.

It is further contemplated that a base plate adapter may provide similar features and benefits when properly applied to the flat base plate surface of a conventional file guide. All of the various angles, relative flat and curved portions of the radius base plate 108 and the like disclosed herein may be provided with an adapter that can be affixed to a base plate of a conventional file guide. Such a base plate adapter may be made of a anti-friction material such as nylon, polished metal, or the like and may be affixed to a conventional file guide with adhesive, screw type fasteners, rivets, snap fit fasteners, and the like, some of which may require adapting the base plate of the conventional file guide accordingly.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, various modifications and improvements thereon will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the spirit and scope of the present invention is not to be limited by the foregoing examples, but is to be understood in the broadest sense allowable by law.

All documents referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A file guide comprising: a radius base plate with a base surface comprising at least two non co-planar sections; a file support disposed at substantially a right angle to the radius base plate and attached thereto forming a junction; at least two file grip holes disposed through the file support, the grip holes forming a sharp edge with a top surface of the file support; and a filings port disposed at the junction for passing filings from a first side of the file guide to a second side of the file guide.
 2. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the file guide is configured to be used for sharpening edges of at least a ski and a snowboard.
 3. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the radius base plate comprises a polished surface to minimize friction.
 4. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the radius base plate comprises an antifriction coating.
 5. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the radius base plate comprises at least one of reliefs and grooves to reduce surface area contacting with the radius base plate.
 6. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the at least two non co-planar sections comprises at least one or more flat sections, one or more curved sections, and a combination thereof.
 7. The file guide of claim 6, wherein radii of the one or more curved sections comprises an elliptical profile, a hyperbolic profile or a combination thereof. 8-11. (canceled)
 12. The file guide of claim 1, wherein the filings port comprises an aperture that extends to a portion of the radius base plate.
 13. The file guide of claim 1 further comprising a palm shaped handle for facilitating gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user.
 14. The file guide of claim 1 further comprising a concave shaped handle for facilitating safe gripping of the file guide into a palm of a user.
 15. (canceled)
 16. An apparatus for facilitating sharpening of edges of a device, the apparatus comprising: a first plate with a base surface, the base surface comprising a plurality of non-co-planar sections; a second plate disposed at a defined angle to the first plate and attached thereto forming a junction between the first plate and the second plate; and a fillings port disposed at the junction for passing filings from a first side of the apparatus to a second side of the apparatus during sharpening of the edges of the device. 17-18. (canceled)
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first plate comprises a polished surface to minimize friction.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first plate comprises at least one of reliefs and grooves to reduce surface area contacting with the first plate.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of non co-planar sections comprises at least one or more flat sections, one or more curved sections, and a combination thereof. 23-30. (canceled)
 31. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a palm shaped handle for facilitating gripping of the apparatus into a palm of a user.
 32. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a concave shaped handle for facilitating safe gripping of the apparatus into a palm of a user.
 33. (canceled)
 34. A method of sharpening edges of a device using an apparatus, the method comprising: positioning the apparatus at a start position such that the apparatus is inclined at a first angle with the device, the start position defining initiation of edge sharpening motion of the device; guiding the apparatus in a sharpening path along a length of the device to a mid-position such that the apparatus is inclined at a second angle with the device at the mid-position; and proceeding sharpening along the sharpening path beyond the mid-position to an end position such that the apparatus is inclined at a third angle with the device at the end-position, the end-position defining an end of the edge sharpening motion of the device.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the device is at least one of a ski and a snowboard.
 36. The method of claim 34, wherein the first angle, the second angle and the third angle are obtained by rotating the apparatus with respect to the device. 